The primary members of the group were all the sons of Katherine and Joseph Jackson: Jackie Jackson, Tito Jackson, Jermaine Jackson, Marlon Jackson, Michael Jackson, and Randy Jackson. Joseph Jackson formed the band in 1964 and served as its manager, with Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, and unrelated youths Reynaud Jones and Milton Hite comprising its original lineup. Within a year, Michael and Marlon joined the band, and Michael became lead singer as the group developed a following in the eastern and midwestern United States during the mid-1960s. Signed to the Motown label from 1969 to 1975, and to CBS Records (as "The Jacksons") from 1975 until their disbanding in 1990, the Jackson 5 were one of the most popular groups of the era and became the first recording act to have their first four major label singles (I Want You Back, ABC, The Love You Save, and I'll Be There) reach the top of the American charts. Several future singles, among them "Mama's Pearl", "Never Can Say Goodbye" and "Dancing Machine", were Top 5 pop hits and number-one hits on the R&B singles chart. Most of the early hits were written and produced by a specialized songwriting team known as The Corporation™; later Jackson 5 hits were crafted chiefly by Hal Davis.
While not the first act considered a "boy band", The Jackson 5 is one of the earliest examples of the type as it is defined today: five adolescents specifically packaged and marketed by a record label for crossover pop success. Upon their departure from Motown for CBS in 1975, the Jacksons, were forced to change their name and trade Jermaine (who remained at Motown) for Randy. The group took control of their songwriting, production, and image, and their success continued into the 1980s with hits such as "Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)" and "State of Shock", and a highly successful 1984 Victory tour. The Jacksons officially disbanded in 1990.
History
Early works
The Jacksons were a working-class family from Gary, Indiana. Katherine, being a Jehovah's Witness, raised the children as such, while their father, Joe, was not of that faith. Their father, a steel mill employee who often performed in an R&B band called "The Falcons" with his brother Luther, was a strict disciplinarian. Many of the Jackson children recall being severely beaten by Joe for misbehaving.
The children found an outlet in music, with elder brothers Jackie (born Sigmund Esco Jackson, 1951), Tito (born Toriano Jackson, 1953), and Jermaine (b. 1954) borrowing their father's guitar without his permission and playing along to the radio. Younger brothers Marlon (b. 1957) and Michael (b. 1958) were allowed to watch as long as they did not tell. Joseph eventually discovered that the older three boys were playing his guitar when one of the strings broke[2]. Although he was furious at first, Joseph realized the boys had talent and began making plans to create a musical act for them.
In 1965, Jackie, Tito, and Jermaine began performing around the Gary area with two neighborhood children, Milford Hite (on drums) and Reynaud Jones (on keyboards), in a group called The Jackson Brothers. Joe Jackson served as the manager, at first only part-time, and then eventually quitting his job at the steel mill. Jermaine sang lead and played bass, and Tito played guitar.
In 1966, younger brothers Marlon and Michael, joined the group as its tambourine and bongo players. Already showing talent as a singer and dancer[3], Michael replaced Jermaine as lead vocalist by mid-1967. Shirley Cartman, Tito's junior high orchestra teacher, noticed the group's talents and served as an early mentor to the group, by then calling itself The Jackson Five.
During this period, the boys toured Indiana extensively, and after winning a major local talent show in 1966 with a rendition of The Temptations' "My Girl", led by Michael, they began playing professional gigs in Chicago, Illinois and across the mid-eastern U.S. Many of these gigs were in a string of black clubs and venues collectively known as the "chitlin' circuit", and the young kids sometimes had to open for strip teasers and other adult acts in order to earn money.
Shirley Cartman got the Jackson Five a record deal with Gordon Keith's local Steeltown label, and the group began making their first recordings in 1967. Their first single, "Big Boy", became a regional hit. During this period, Johnny Jackson (no relation) on drums and Ronnie Rancifer on keys replaced Milford Hite and Reynaud Jones.
The Jackson Five had a number of admirers in their early days, including Sam & Dave, who helped the group secure a spot in the famous Amateur Night competition at the Apollo Theater in Harlem. The group won the August 13, 1967 competition during the Amateur Night showdown at the Apollo, impressing Motown Records artist Gladys Knight of The Pips. Knight recommended the group to Motown chief Berry Gordy, but Gordy, who already had teenager Stevie Wonder on his roster, was hesitant to take on another child act because of the child labor laws and other problems involved.
The Jackson Five's sound was influenced by many of the biggest stars of the 1960s, especially including family funk bands Sly & the Family Stone and The Isley Brothers, soul pioneer Marvin Gaye, doo-wop boy band Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers, and soul shouters like Wilson Pickett, Jackie Wilson, Stevie Wonder and James Brown [4]. At the time of their early success, soul and funk stars, especially coming from Motown Records, were among the most popular musicians; Motown had launched the careers of dozens of the decade's biggest stars, most notably Smokey Robinson & the Miracles, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, and Diana Ross & the Supremes.
Influences
From these sources, The Jackson Five developed many of their vocal arrangement styles and dance movements. The group's multi-lead vocal style was inspired by that of The Family Stone, while young Michael adapted Jackie Wilson and James Brown's impassioned singing and dancing styles into his own.
Joining Motown
By 1968, the Jackson 5 were a headlining act for the All Star Floor Show at Chicago's The Guys' and Gals' Cocktail Lounge and Restaurant. From July 12 - 27, 1968, the Jackson 5 opened for Motown group Bobby Taylor & the Vancouvers at Chicago's Regal Theater. Taylor was also very impressed with the boys, and he decided to make the commitment to bring them to Detroit and Motown. Joseph and the Jackson Five stayed on the floor of Bobby Taylor's Detroit apartment the night of July 22, while Taylor and Motown executive Suzanne de Passe arranged for the Jackson Five to audition for the label.
On July 23, the Jackson Five had their Motown audition, for which they performed James Brown’s then current hit "I Got the Feelin’". Berry Gordy was not in attendance, but the audition was videotaped and sent to him in Los Angeles. Gordy's initial reluctance to sign the group disappeared when he finally saw the boys perform. Gordy decided to sign the Jackson Five to Motown, and hosted a party at his Detroit mansion on November 25, 1968 to introduce them to the Motown staff and stars.
Motown began negotiations to buy out the Jackson Five's Steeltown contract, completing the deal in March 1969. By the summer, Bobby Taylor began producing the group's first recordings at Motown's Hitsville U.S.A. recording studio in Detroit. The early Taylor-produced Jackson Five records were all covers of both contemporary hits and Motown-standards, including Sly & the Family Stone's "Stand!" and their famous rendition of The Miracles' "Who's Lovin' You", written by Smokey Robinson.
In mid-August 1969, Gordy moved the Jackson Five and Joseph to California, and he and Suzanne de Passe began the process of grooming them as the label's next big act, while the rest of the family remained in Gary. While looking for a house in California, Joseph, Jermaine, Tito, and Jackie lived with Berry Gordy, while Michael and Marlon lived with Motown star Diana Ross.
Jumbo Sam
The Jackson 5 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What's that shadow on the wall?
Half a ton of trouble to mess around with
Armed with rubber bands His
School book in hands
Got a great big mouth to shoot you down with
Bam! Bam! Jumbo Sam
(Gonna get, gonna get you Sam)
(Gonna get, gonna get you Sam)
Bam! Bam! Bam! Fast talking
Guy Teenage private eye jumbo Sam
For one red dime He said he'd solve my crime
Find out who my girl's
Been messin' 'round with
But that great big son of a
Gun took my girl and run
Gonna get a baseball bat to
Knock him down with bam! Bam! Jumbo Sam
(Gonna get, gonna get you Sam)
What a ham, Jumbo Sam
(Gonna get, gonna get you Sam)
Bam! Bam! Bam! Fast talking guy
Teenage private eye jumbo Sam
Teacher calling in the hall pitchin'
Pennies on the wall
He said he want enough to buy her present
Jumbo Sam is slick he's up to his old tricks
If a rumour's going 'round you
Know he said it bam! Bam! Jumbo Sam
(Gonna get, gonna get you Sam)
Jumbo Sam (Gonna get, gonna get you Sam)
Fast talking guy, teenage private eye
Jumbo Sam ha! Ohh! Jumbo Sam
(Gonna get
Gonna get you Sam) what a ham y'all
Jumbo Sam, Bam! Bam! Bam!
Fast talking guy, teenage private eye
Jumbo Sam No na now baby yeah
Jumbo Sam (Gonna get, gonna get you Sam)
Jumbo Sam (gonna get, gonna get you Sam)
Fast talking guy teenage private eye
The lyrics to "Jumbo Sam" by The Jackson 5 tell the story of a character named Jumbo Sam, who is described as a troublemaker but also a fast-talking private investigator. The song portrays Jumbo Sam as a larger-than-life figure, sneaking down the hall and leaving a shadow on the wall. He is armed with rubber bands and carries a school book in his hands, ready to shoot down anyone who crosses his path.
Jumbo Sam is described as a ham, someone who seeks attention and enjoys being in the spotlight. Despite his larger-than-life persona, he is also depicted as someone who can solve problems and find the truth. In the lyrics, the singer of the song enlists Jumbo Sam's help to solve a personal issue, possibly related to a girlfriend being unfaithful. However, Jumbo Sam ends up betraying the singer and running off with his girlfriend, leading to a desire for revenge.
The song captures the essence of teenage drama and the complexities of relationships, mixed with a sense of humor and exaggeration. It portrays Jumbo Sam as a character who is both cunning and charismatic, leaving a lasting impression on the listener.
Line by Line Meaning
Ooh who's that sneaking down the hall?
There is someone secretly moving down the hallway and I wonder who it is.
What's that shadow on the wall?
I see a shadow on the wall and I'm curious about what caused it.
Half a ton of trouble to mess around with
Dealing with this person is like having a huge problem on your hands.
Armed with rubber bands His School book in hands
He is carrying rubber bands and his school book, possibly to use them in some mischievous way.
Got a great big mouth to shoot you down with
He has a loud and boastful personality, always ready to insult and belittle others.
Bam! Bam! Jumbo Sam (Gonna get, gonna get you Sam)
His name is Jumbo Sam and he will take action to confront and challenge others.
What a ham, Jumbo Sam (Gonna get, gonna get you Sam)
Jumbo Sam is quite the show-off and will not back down from a confrontation.
Bam! Bam! Bam! Fast talking Guy Teenage private eye jumbo Sam
Jumbo Sam is a fast-talking guy who considers himself a teenage private investigator, always ready for action.
For one red dime He said he'd solve my crime
Jumbo Sam promised to solve my problem in exchange for a small payment.
Find out who my girl's Been messin' 'round with
He will investigate and uncover the person my girlfriend has been involved with.
But that great big son of a Gun took my girl and run
However, that cunning and large person took my girlfriend and escaped.
Gonna get a baseball bat to Knock him down with bam! Bam! Jumbo Sam
I plan to confront him with a baseball bat and knock him down.
(Gonna get, gonna get you Sam) What a ham, Jumbo Sam
I am determined to get Jumbo Sam, the show-off, no matter what.
(Gonna get, gonna get you Sam) Bam! Bam! Bam! Fast talking guy Teenage private eye jumbo Sam
I won't stop pursuing Jumbo Sam, the fast-talking teenage private investigator.
Teacher calling in the hall pitchin' Pennies on the wall
I hear the teacher calling from the hallway, tossing pennies against the wall.
He said he want enough to buy her present
The teacher wants to collect enough pennies to buy a gift for someone.
Jumbo Sam is slick he's up to his old tricks
Jumbo Sam is clever and doing his usual deceptive actions.
If a rumour's going 'round you Know he said it bam! Bam! Jumbo Sam
Whenever a rumor is spreading, you can be sure Jumbo Sam originated it.
Jumbo Sam ha! Ohh! Jumbo Sam (Gonna get Gonna get you Sam) what a ham y'all
Jumbo Sam, with his flamboyant personality, will not escape my attention.
Jumbo Sam, Bam! Bam! Bam! Fast talking guy, teenage private eye Jumbo Sam
I will relentlessly go after Jumbo Sam, the fast-talking teenage private investigator.
No na now baby yeah Jumbo Sam (Gonna get, gonna get you Sam)
Don't worry, my dear, I am determined to confront and challenge Jumbo Sam.
Jumbo Sam (gonna get, gonna get you Sam) Fast talking guy teenage private eye
Jumbo Sam, the quick-talking teenage private investigator, will not escape my pursuit.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DON FENCETON, MEL LARSON, JERRY MARCELLINO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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on I Want You Back
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